Penn State’s student government faces calls for transparency after removing president
The Penn State student government ousted its newly elected president during its meeting Wednesday evening, and at least one student group is calling for more transparency surrounding the decision.
Rasha Elwakil, elected president of the University Park Undergraduate Association on April 2, was removed from her position Wednesday with a vote of 28-8-1, according to UPUA’s newsletter. In an Instagram post, UPUA announced Vice President Fletcher Port would assume the presidency and the assembly will work to select a new vice president, who will be confirmed by the legislative branch.
The deliberations before taking a vote happened during a closed session, the Daily Collegian reported, and UPUA hasn’t issued any formal statement about why it was necessary to remove Elwakil as president. Some members spoke about their concerns publicly during the meeting, the Collegian reported, which included unprofessional behavior, a lack of communication and not correcting repetitive mistakes.
The Penn State chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People issued a statement Thursday expressing “deep concern” regarding Elwakil’s removal. They said they’re not debating the outcome but questioning the process because the student body deserves clarity, transparency and respect.
“The official in question was chosen by the student body through a fair and democratic election — a process that reflects the will of the people and the trust placed in student leadership. To remove that official behind closed doors, without explanation or public discourse, is not only alarming but undermines the integrity of the democratic process itself,” NAACP’s statement says.
The chapter called on UPUA and university leadership to release a detailed account of the impeachment proceedings with specific charges, the evidence presented and justifications for holding a closed-door session.
“We demand transparency, and we will continue to advocate until the student body receives the answers it is rightfully owed,” NAACP said.
There is also a petition started that calls on the assembly to “critically re-evaluate the recent impeachment proceedings and uphold the constitutional values that form the foundation of our student government.”
In a statement to Onward State, Elwakil said she deeply cares about UPUA and Penn State students, and will “continue to advocate for student needs regardless of whatever position I hold.”
Speaker of the Assembly, Kat Hogan, said in UPUA’s Instagram post the decision marked a “solemn period” in the assembly and “underlines the responsibility of leadership and our enduring commitment to uphold the values and trust placed in us by the student body.”
“After more than three hours of deliberation and debate, three-quarters of the legislature found the removal of our former President Elwakil to be in the best interest of their constituents. The vote was considered with immense gravity and reflects the representatives’ integrity, values, and commitment to effective government,” Hogan said.
Port, the new president, said he does not take the position lightly.
“It is a commitment I will make each day to earn the trust of our fellow 42,000+ undergraduates through integrity, transparency, and results. Over the summer, I will gather feedback from all lenses, engage every branch, and crowdsource new ideas so that on the first day of the fall semester, we return stronger, smarter, and more unified,” Port said in a statement on Instagram.
He also thanked Elwakil and said working alongside her for three years helped him grow in ways he did not anticipate.
“Regardless of tonight’s decision, it does not diminish her passion for the UPUA nor her commitment to improving student life,” Port said.
UPUA said they will work to select a new vice president, who will be confirmed by the legislative branch.
